Best Refrigerators

This page takes a look at the best refrigerators on the market. Whether your old refrigerator has finally quit working or you are remodeling your outdated kitchen, you have found yourself searching for a new refrigerator.

The best refrigerators come in all shapes and sizes.

If it has been awhile since you last bought a refrigerator you may be overwhelmed by the process. However, with the right information the process can become more manageable. Read on to discover how to choose the best refrigerator for you and what is available.

How to Pick the Best Refrigerators

First and foremost, you want to make certain the refrigerator you pick is going to work for you and your family. So after determining your budget, here are some things to consider.

The Best Refrigerators are the Appropriate Size

This is one of the most important aspects of the refrigerator. You obviously need enough space to store everything but there are other things to take into account. Carefully measure the area where the refrigerator will go to make certain whichever one you choose will fit.

Make certain to allow for door and drawer opening space as well as any manufacturer recommended installation allowances. Also, make certain that whatever refrigerator you purchase will fit through any doorways in the home.

Lastly, keep in mind that while manufacturers list capacity, this may not be accurate. Be sure to measure and carefully study the interior to make certain it will fit your needs. A good rule of thumb is to allow 10 cubic feet for two adults and at least 1.5 cubic feet for each additional person.

While it may be tempting to err on the side of caution and buy the largest refrigerator, remember that unused space is a waste of energy.

The Best Refrigerators Offer Drawer/Shelf Options

While overall capacity is important, also consider how you will use the space. Do you have primarily frozen meals? Look for a larger freezer capacity. Do you have many fruits and vegetables? Look for larger crisper drawers. Is there often a pizza box or two in your refrigerator? Make certain there is at least one large shelf.

Most refrigerators have adjustable shelves, crisper drawers and in-door shelves. But take some time to make certain the configurations will work for your needs. Split shelves are common on many models now while pull out shelves are becoming increasingly common. Also be sure to consider how easy it is to adjust the shelves.

Special Features Found in the Best Refrigerators

Refrigerators are coming with increasingly more sophisticated features so give serious thought to what you need and what your budget can handle.

In-door ice and water dispenser

This is the most popular feature and can be undeniably convenient. However, keep in mind they tend to need more repairs and you forgo storage space in the freezer when selecting this option. More advanced models include auto-fill, which detects the size of your cup, as wellas measured fill, which gives you the exact amount you specify. There is also the option to have hot, filtered or carbonated water dispensed on some models.

Door-in-door storage access

A newer option, this features an external, smaller door in the refrigerator door. This allows you to grab condiments and items stored on the internal door shelves without opening the whole refrigerator door.

Air filters

These are making their way into refrigerators now and claim to reduce mold and bacteria growth.

Advanced Temperature Controls

While every refrigerator allows you to adjust the temperature of the refrigerated and freezer compartments separately, this takes it a step further. This allows you to set different temperatures for different zones of the refrigerator. Like your milk especially cold? Just set that area to a lower temperature.

Specialty

If you are interested in a refrigerator that will really stand out, there are some interesting features available. From a model with a built-in coffee maker to specifically designed herb storage drawers, they will have your guests talking. On the other hand, if you want a model that blends in, consider optional panels that match your cabinet faces. But keep in mind, while interesting, these options usually come with a steep price tag.

Styles of Refrigerators

There are various styles to choose from, with positive and negatives of each. Check out each of the styles below.

Top Freezer

This is your traditional refrigerator with the freezer compartment stacked on top of the refrigerator compartment. These pack the most usable space for their size profile and are usually the most affordable. Both the refrigerator and freezer are accessed by doors that swing outward.

Since the refrigerator is on the bottom, you may frequently find yourself crouching down to get items from the lower shelves. The following link will take you to our list of the best Top Freezer Refrigerators.

Bottom Freezer

A twist on the traditional, these feature the refrigerator section stacked above the freezer section. The refrigerator section is accessed by a single swinging door while the freezer is a large pull-out drawer usually, although some models do have freezers accessible via a swinging door.

These offer less space than traditional top freezer refrigerators but have the advantage of having the less often used freezer space at the bottom and refrigerator contents at eye-level.

However, the design of the freezer section means you may have to do some rummaging to find the items you need, even in those models that have subdivided freezer sections. Be sure to read our list of the best bottom freezer refrigerators.

French Door

These are gaining in popularity every day, although they can have a steep price tag. They feature the refrigerator stacked above the freezer. However, they differ from a bottom freezer in that the refrigerator section is accessed by two slim doors that open outward in opposing directions.

Again, you have less useable space than traditional refrigerators but the slim profile of the doors are space saving. These may also have one or more drawers stacked between the freezer and refrigerator and these drawers themselves may be frozen or refrigerated. Check out our list of the best French door refrigerators.

Side by Side

As the name implies, this refrigerator features the refrigerator and freezer compartments next to each other. You can find models with equal size compartments or models allotting more space to the refrigerator.

The slim doors swing outward in opposite directions so can be good for smaller kitchens. However, the slimness of the compartments may make it harder to fit larger items. Read our list of the best side by side refrigerators.

With so many options available, you should be able to find a refrigerator that will suit your needs perfectly. Just remember to read reviews, compare prices and stay within your budget.